Lip balm strip

ABSTRACT

Lip balm strip is a sheet of material that conveniently dispenses a single application of lip balm. The lip balm strip consists of a pre-folded sheet of material that has been sealed shut with an adhesive. The lip balm strip contains lip balm on the top and bottom surface. A section of the lip balm strip is not covered in lip balm which provides a clean surface to hold the strip. The folded side of the lip balm strip is entered into the mouth and the lips are pressed down to apply the lip balm. The folded side of the lip balm strip provides a smooth edge to prevent injury to the mouth. The lip balm strip is individually wrapped to preserve the strip for use. The lip balm strip is a new, easy, efficient, sanitary and environmentally friendly way to use, carry and share lip balm.

BACKGROUND

The following is a collection of some prior art that appears relevant:

US Patents Patent Number Issue Date Patentee 5,842,802 Dec. 1, 1998 Lang, et al. 6,939,070 Sep. 6, 2005 Butz, et al. 7,377,707 May 27, 2008 Breidenbach, et al.

Previously, three lip balm dispensers existed; the tube, the circular container and the soft tube. However, the prior art has become outdated and creates numerous difficulties and limitations for the consumer, for example:

1. The prior art holds up to a several month supply of lip balm in one dispenser. Therefore, if the prior art is lost or misplaced, a large supply of lip balm must be replaced. This is expensive for the consumer and harmful to the environment.

2. If the cap of the prior art is lost or misplaced, up to a several month supply of lip balm dries out and must be replaced. This is expensive for the consumer and harmful to the environment.

3. The prior art is difficult to share because of the risk of spreading germs. It is unsanitary to apply the same product to multiple people's lips and fingers.

4. The cumbersome shape and large size of the prior art makes it awkward to transport.

5. The prior art is aesthetically undesirable for men as it resembles a female cosmetic. Many men are self-conscious about using the product in public.

6. The prior art makes it impossible for the consumer to divide and spread out his/her supply of lip balm into various locations because it is all housed in one dispenser.

7. The prior art obligates the consumer to commit to up to a several month supply of lip balm with the same flavor/texture. If the consumer is not happy with the flavor/texture purchased, a new product must be purchased or the consumer is stuck with a large supply of an undesired product.

The lip balm strip provides the consumer with a new option; the first ever light-weight, single use, disposable lip balm dispenser. The advantages of the lip balm strip are:

1. Each lip balm strip is an individually wrapped single application of lip balm. If a lip balm strip is lost or misplaced, the consumer only loses a single application of lip balm. And, since the lip balm strip can be sold in packs, the consumer does not lose his/her entire supply if a lip balm strip is lost or misplaced. This saves the consumer money and is environmentally friendly.

2. The lip balm strip can easily be shared with other people without the threat of spreading germs because the lip balm strip contains a single application of lip balm and is individually packaged.

3. The lip balm strip is very easy to transport. It is flat and thin so it will easily fit in a consumer's pocket making it available to the consumer whenever he/she needs it.

4. The lip balm strip makes it possible for the consumer to leave an application of lip balm in various locations where he/she might use it. Allowing the consumer to divide his/her supply of lip balm between multiple locations makes the lip balm strip convenient and cost effective.

5. The lip balm strip is gender neutral which is very appealing to male consumers.

6. The lip balm strip provides less waste for the environment since it is not contained in a plastic tube or circular container.

7. Since the lip balm strip dispenses a single application of lip balm, the consumer only has to commit to a specific flavor/texture of lip balm for one use. If an undesirable flavor/texture of lip balm is purchased, only a small amount of lip balm is wasted which makes the lip balm strip cost effective and environmentally friendly.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of the lip balm strip, wherein: 1) the section containing lip balm, suited for placing between the lips; 2) the pre-folded side, suited for entering the mouth; 3) the lip balm-free section, suited for holding the strip with the hand; 4) the rounded edges, suited for handling the strip safely.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the lip balm strip from the user's perspective as the lip balm strip is entered into the mouth, wherein: 1) the section containing lip balm, suited for placing between the lips; 2) the pre-folded side, suited for entering the mouth; 3) the rounded edges, suited for handling the strip safely.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the lip balm strip with packaging material, wherein: 1) the section containing lip balm, suited for placing between the lips; 2) the packaging material, suited for preserving the lip balm strip for use; 3) the lip balm-free section, suited for holding the strip with the hand; 4) the pre-folded side, suited for entering the mouth.

FIG. 4 is an alternative side view of the lip balm strip, wherein: 1) the section containing lip balm, suited for placing between the lips; 2) the pre-folded side, suited for entering the mouth; 3) the lip balm-free section, suited for holding the strip with the hand; 4) the rounded edges, suited for handling the strip safely.

DESCRIPTION

A lip balm strip is a single sheet of material that has been pre-folded and sealed shut with an adhesive material. The fold creates a smooth edge along one side of the lip balm strip. Lip balm covers the top and bottom surface of the lip balm strip along the folded side. The other side of the lip balm strip is left with a bare surface. All four corners of the lip balm strip are rounded.

The lip balm strip is sealed shut in a packaging material.

Operation

The lip balm strip is removed from the packaging. The lip balm free section of the strip is used to hold the lip balm strip. The rounded edges prevent paper cuts. The folded side of the lip balm strip containing lip balm on the top and bottom surface is entered into the mouth. The fold creates a smooth surface to prevent paper cuts. The lips are pressed down and the lip balm strip dispenses a single application of lip balm to the top and bottom lips. The lips are now moisturized and the lip balm strip can be thrown out.

Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope

The lip balm strip is a revolutionary new way to dispense lip balm. Existing lip balm dispensers are wasteful, difficult to transport and unhygienic to share. The lip balm strip is an easy, efficient, sanitary and environmentally friendly way to use, carry and share lip balm.

While the above description of the lip balm strip contains some specificities, other variations are possible. Therefore, the scope of the embodiment should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. 

1. A lip balm strip for conveniently dispensing a single application of lip balm comprising: a) a rectangular strip of material containing lip balm on the top and bottom surfaces; b) the said lip balm strip consisting of a pre-folded sheet of material with said folded sheet of material sealed shut with an adhesive material whereby folded edge of said lip balm strip provides safe and comfortable application of said lip balm strip; c) the said lip balm strip consisting of rounded edges whereby said rounded edges allow the said lip balm strip to be applied safely and comfortably; d) a lip balm-free section of the top and bottom surfaces of said lip balm strip whereby said lip balm-free portion provides a clean surface for handling said lip balm strip easily; e) a packaging encompassing said lip balm strip whereby said packaging seals said lip balm strip shut to preserve said lip balm strip for use.
 2. Lip balm strip as in claim 1, wherein: a) the lip balm strip does not include an adhesive material whereby the said lip balm strip is held together by the user, in use.
 3. Lip balm strip as in claim 1, wherein: a) the lip balm strip includes a non-folded sheet of material.
 4. Lip balm strip as in claim 1, wherein: a) the lip balm strip includes a sheet of material with folds on multiple sides.
 5. Lip balm strip as in claim 1, wherein: a) the lip balm strip includes non-rounded edges.
 6. Lip balm strip as in claim 1, wherein: a) the lip balm strip includes a shape other than a rectangle.
 7. Lip balm strip as in claim 1, wherein: a) the lip balm strip includes a sheet of material where lip balm covers only the top surface of said sheet of material.
 8. Lip balm strip as in claim 1, wherein: a) the lip balm strip includes a sheet of material where lip balm covers only the bottom surface of said sheet of material.
 9. Lip balm strip as in claim 1, wherein: a) the lip balm strip includes a sheet of material where lip balm covers the entire top surface of said lip balm strip.
 10. Lip balm strip as in claim 1, wherein: a) the lip balm strip includes a sheet of material where lip balm covers the entire bottom surface of said lip balm strip.
 11. Lip balm strip as in claim 1, wherein: a) the lip balm strip includes a sheet of material where lip balm covers the entire top and bottom surfaces of said lip balm strip.
 12. Lip balm strip as in claim 1, wherein: a) the lip balm strip includes a lip balm-free section along the top surface of said lip balm strip whereby said lip balm-free section provides a clean surface for handling said lip balm strip easily.
 13. Lip balm strip as in claim 1, wherein: a) the lip balm strip includes a lip balm-free section along the bottom surface of said lip balm strip whereby said lip balm-free section provides a clean surface for handling said lip balm strip easily.
 14. Lip balm strip as in claim 1, wherein: a) the lip balm strip includes a lip balm-free section along the perimeter of the top surface of said lip balm strip whereby said lip balm-free section provides a clean surface for handling said lip balm strip easily.
 15. Lip balm strip as in claim 1, wherein: a) the lip balm strip includes a lip balm-free section along the perimeter of the bottom surface of said lip balm strip whereby said lip balm-free section provides a clean surface for handling said lip balm strip easily.
 16. Lip balm strip as in claim 1, wherein: a) the lip balm strip includes a lip balm-free section along the perimeter of the top and bottom surfaces of said lip balm strip whereby said lip balm-free section provides a clean surface for handling said lip balm strip easily.
 17. Lip balm strip as in claim 1, wherein: a) the lip balm strip does not include a packaging encompassing said lip balm strip; b) the lip balm strip does not include an adhesive material whereby said lip balm strip is folded shut for packaging and folded open for use; c) the lip balm strip includes a removable material along the perimeter of said lip balm strip whereby said removable material temporarily seals folded said lip balm strip shut allowing said lip balm strip to package itself. 